Law enforcement group rewards exceptional performance

JEREMY FOSTER/SPECIAL TO THE STAR
CSU Channel Islands Officer Steve Osman (center), accepts his Medal of Valor award from university police Chief John Reid on Saturday at the Peace Officers Association of Ventura County’s Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony in Camarillo. Onstage with Osman is Sgt. Jeff Cowgill (left), who also was honored.

Ventura police Officers Nicole Gallion and Kendra Williams were just doing their job when they responded to a Motel 6 in Ventura in March to help evict a hotel guest who injured both trying get away.

Their actions were recognized Saturday night at the Peace Officers Association of Ventura County’s Medal of Valor Awards Ceremony.

The ceremony at the Sun Air Hangar in Camarillo honored more than 40 civilians and law enforcement personnel who performed noteworthy acts in the past year.

In the case of the Ventura officers, the male guest attacked them as they tried to apprehend him, and he managed to get to his car despite being shocked with a stun gun.

As the officers tried to stop him, he put his pickup in reverse, and the open driver’s side door knocked Gallion 60 feet from where she was standing, leaving her temporarily unconscious.

Williams was run over by the car’s front tire, which crushed her shoulder and narrowly missed her head. She drew her weapon and fired shots, but the man reversed his truck in her direction.

Gallion regained consciousness and stopped the man with a fatal shot.

On Saturday, Williams sat with relatives and friends and held her 4-year-old daughter, Aaliyah. Echoing the sentiment of many officers, who said they were just doing their job, Williams said she was still heartened by the community recognition and thankful that her family was not accepting the award on her behalf.

“I’m really happy to share this with Nicole because she saved my life,” Williams said. Ventura Police Chief Ken Corney said the event showed how fast a routine call can turn into a life-threatening event.

“I’m proud of this entire profession for what they do,” he said. “When people are running away from danger, they’re running into danger.”

In its 39th year, the event drew a record 500 guests, according to Rick Barrios, president of the association’s board of directors.

CSU Channel Islands Sgt. Jeff Cowgill and Officer Steve Osman, as well as civilian Gary Cowles, president of DK Electric in Ventura, were honored for reviving a 58-year-old man who was burned in March after an electrical explosion at the university.

“The most important thing for me is that the gentleman that was hurt is enjoying his family right now,” Cowgill said.

Osman said he wanted to share the award with all of his law enforcement brothers and sisters.

“I’m just honored to be a part of this great group of people,” he said. “Everyone deserves to be honored.”

Keynote speaker Gabi Aguirre was 3 when her father, sheriff’s Deputy Peter Aguirre Jr., was killed in the line of duty on July 17, 1996.

She said she wanted to carry on the passion he had for his community and remind young people who the real heroes are.

“As peace officers, what you see, do and endure every day is unimaginable to the weak,” she said. “But yet you stay strong on the front line, unafraid. You have chosen to shine the light of comfort and ease without hesitation.”